Treble Charger
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1992 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada |
| Founder | Greig Nori, Bill Priddle, Rosie Martin, Morris Palter |
| Defunct | 2006 (initially) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2012 |
| Headquarters | Sault Ste. Marie , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Treble Charger is a rock ensemble from Canada that originated in 1992 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The group consists of vocalist and guitarist Greig Nori, vocalist and guitarist Bill Priddle, bassist Rosie Martin, and drummer Richard Mulligan. Their sound initially embraced melodic indie rock, but after signing with a major label in 1997, they transitioned toward pop punk. The band dissolved in 2006 but reunited six years later in 2012. From 1996 through 2016, Treble Charger ranked among the top 150 best-selling Canadian artists within the country.
Formative period (1992–1996)
Hailing from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, the group originally performed under the name NC-17, comprising Nori, Priddle, Rosie Martin, and Morris Palter. Due to legal challenges from a U.S. band bearing the same name, they adopted the name Treble Charger in 1994; however, their debut album retained the title NC17. Initially self-released through Smokin' Worm in 1994, NC17 garnered attention on campus radio, MuchMusic, and CFNY following its reissue by Sonic Unyon Records in 1997.
In 1995, Treble Charger unveiled Self Title, which included a CD-ROM featuring promotional content for 30 Canadian indie acts favored by the band, such as The Inbreds, Change of Heart, By Divine Right, Hayden, and Thrush Hermit.
By 1996, the band had secured a contract with RCA Records for distribution in the United States.
Transition to pop punk (1997–2006)
The 1997 release Maybe It's Me marked Treble Charger's debut on a major label and showcased a refined, commercially oriented sound highlighted by the popular track "Friend of Mine". After contributions from session drummer Mike Levesque, Trevor MacGregor became the official drummer. This lineup, along with several songs, was featured in the 1999 motion picture Mr. Music, where they portrayed an indie band rejuvenating a fictional record label.
Their 2000 album Wide Awake Bored confirmed their evolution into pop-punk territory, generating hits like "American Psycho" and "Brand New Low". In 2001, Treble Charger appeared at Halifax’s Snow Jam festival. The subsequent album Detox, released in 2002, included successful singles such as "Hundred Million" and "Don't Believe It All".
Guitarist Bill Priddle, linked to the band’s earlier indie rock phase, departed in 2003 due to creative disagreements regarding their pop-punk direction. Devin Bronson, known for his work with Kelly Osbourne, stepped in as guitarist for the remainder of the Detox tour. Priddle continued his musical career with Broken Social Scene and established The Priddle Concern.
Simultaneously, Treble Charger's production and guidance of emerging band Sum 41 began to eclipse their own activities. Reports indicated that by late 2004 the band was on hiatus; nevertheless, an animated version of Treble Charger appeared alongside Sum 41 on The Comedy Network's Kevin Spencer. Although a July 2004 announcement suggested ongoing studio work, frontman Nori declared in September 2005 that his priorities had shifted away from the group.
Several Treble Charger songs gained exposure through EA Sports video games: "American Psycho" and "Brand New Low" were featured in NHL 2002, "Hundred Million" appeared in both NHL 2003 and Splashdown: Rides Gone Wild, while "Wear Me Down" and "Business" were included in Triple Play 2002. Additionally, "American Psycho" was utilized in promotional campaigns for both American Pie: Band Camp and the movie Dude, Where's My Car?.
On February 3, 2006, Nori officially announced the dissolution of Treble Charger, ending their fourteen-year run.
Post-breakup endeavors (2006–2011)
Following the band's split, Nori ended his role managing the Canadian group Sum 41, though he maintained management of other musicians. He took on the role of a "musical mentor" for the Canadian reality television series disBAND (later renamed Much Discovered) broadcast on MuchMusic. Priddle embarked on a solo path in Toronto, releasing an album in 2008 under the name The Priddle Concern. MacGregor shifted his focus to composing for television and film projects, while Palter advanced his education in contemporary percussion and continues to perform internationally.
Treble Charger was honored as one of the first inductees into the Sault Ste. Marie Walk of Fame on September 30, 2006, an event that coincided with the inauguration of the Steelback Centre arena.
Nori produced the debut album for Organ Thieves, titled Somewhere Between Free Men and Slaves, which was recorded between 2010 and 2012 and released on April 3, 2012.
Reunion and forthcoming sixth album (2012–present)
A hint of Treble Charger's reunion appeared via a Twitter account on January 15, 2012, and was officially confirmed on January 20 with announcements of performances at The Indie Awards during Canadian Music Week, although Martin and MacGregor were not part of this return. Additional concerts included a March 21 show alongside Organ Thieves and appearances at three Canadian festivals through November.
In 2013, the band headlined a July 12 concert in Windsor, Ontario, supported by acts such as The Trews and Neverending White Lights.
Nori and Priddle entered the recording studio in September 2014 to work on new tracks. During a performance at Rotaryfest in 2018, they revealed plans for an upcoming album.
On March 7, 2024, Treble Charger hosted a VIP fundraising event benefiting the music program at Algoma University. Later, on July 6, 2024, they performed at Toronto's Big Shiny Saturday concert alongside artists including Bif Naked, I Mother Earth, Headstones, and The Tea Party.
Allegations against Nori
On October 7, 2024, Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley published his memoir Walking Disaster, wherein he accused Nori of sexual and verbal misconduct during his tenure as the band's manager. Whibley claimed that Nori made unwanted physical advances including grabbing and kissing him; after rejection, Nori allegedly engaged in psychological and verbal abuse. Nori refuted these allegations, asserting that their relationship began when Whibley was a teenager but was consensual.
Current
- Greig Nori – lead vocals, guitar (1992–2006, 2012–present)
- Bill Priddle – guitar, co-lead vocals (1992–2003, 2012–present)
- Frank Deresti – bass (2024–present)
Former
- Jason Pierce – drums (2012–2013)
- Morris Palter – drums, percussion (1992–1997)
- Mike Levesque – drums, percussion (1997)
- Trevor MacGregor – drums, percussion (1997–2006)
- Devin Bronson – guitar, backing vocals (2003–2004)
- Rosie Martin – bass (1992–2006)
- David Peredun – drums (2024)
Touring / session
- Dave McMillan – bass (2012)
- Darcy Yates – bass (2012–2018)
Timeline
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at:07/04/1994 color:black layer:back at:01/01/1995 color:black layer:back at:05/13/1997 color:black layer:back at:07/25/2000 color:black layer:back at:08/20/2002 color:black layer:back
BarData =
bar:Nori text:"Greig Nori" bar:Priddle text:"Bill Priddle" bar:Bronson text:"Devin Bronson" bar:Martin text:"Rosie Martin" bar:Palter text:"Morris Palter" bar:MacGregor text:"Trevor MacGregor" bar:Pierce text:"Jason Pierce" bar:Mulligan text:"Richard Mulligan"
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width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Nori from:01/01/1992 till:02/03/2006 color:Vocals bar:Nori from:01/01/1992 till:02/03/2006 color:Guitar width:3 bar:Nori from:01/14/2012 till:end color:Vocals bar:Nori from:01/14/2012 till:end color:Guitar width:3 bar:Martin from:01/01/1992 till:02/03/2006 color:Bass bar:MacGregor from:05/13/1997 till:02/03/2006 color:Drums bar:Priddle from:01/01/1992 till:01/01/2003 color:Guitar bar:Priddle from:01/01/1992 till:01/01/2003 color:Vocals width:3 bar:Priddle from:01/14/2012 till:end color:Guitar bar:Priddle from:01/14/2012 till:end color:Vocals width:3 bar:Bronson from:01/01/2003 till:01/01/2004 color:Guitar bar:Palter from:01/01/1992 till:05/13/1997 color:Drums bar:Pierce from:01/14/2012 till:08/10/2013 color:Drums bar:Mulligan from:08/10/2013 till:end color:Drums
</timeline>
Studio albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Highest Chart Rankings | Accreditations |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAN | |||
| NC17 |
|
— | |
| Self Title |
|
— | |
| Maybe It's Me |
|
77 |
|
| Wide Awake Bored |
|
9 |
|
| Detox |
|
10 |
|
Singles
2003| Year of Release | Single Title | Chart Peak Positions | Corresponding Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN | CAN Rock/Alt. |
US Alt. | |||
| 1994 | "Red" | — | — | — | NC17 |
| "10th Grade Love" | — | — | — | ||
| 1995 | "Even Grable" | — | 6 | — | Self Title |
| 1996 | "Morale" | 41 | 16 | — | |
| "Sick Friend Called" | — | — | — | ||
| 1997 | "Friend of Mine" | 41 | 9 | — | Maybe It's Me |
| "How She Died" | — | 19 | — | ||
| "Red (re-recorded)" | — | 20 | 48 | ||
| 1998 | "Ever She Flows" | "—" | "—" | "—" | |
| 2000 | "American Psycho" | — | 4 | — | Wide Awake Bored |
| 2001 | "Brand New Low" | — | × | — | |
| "Business" | — | 54 | — | ||
| 2002 | "Hundred Million" | 79 | × | 49 | Detox |
| "Don't Believe It All" | — | × | — | ||
| "Ideal Waste of Time" | — | × | — | ||
See also
External links
- Treble Charger Official site
- Treble Charger on ViK. Recordings
- Treble Charger featured on urArtist Network
- Articles with short description
- Canadian indie rock bands
- Canadian alternative rock bands
- Canadian pop punk bands
- Musical groups formed in 1992
- Musical groups disbanded in 2006
- Musical groups reunited in 2012
- Musical acts from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
- 1992 establishments in Ontario
- 2006 disestablishments in Ontario
- 2012 reestablishments in Ontario
- Sonic Unyon recording artists
- Nettwerk Records recording artists
- Musical groups disestablished in 2006